Seven players get one-match ban

Seven Premier League players received a one-match ban yesterday. Championship Pool side Hamrun Spartans were the worst affected as they had no fewer than three players on the list.

Neville Galea, Steve Meilak and Bratislav Timotic have been banned after they collected a fourth yellow card in Hamrun's 4-2 defeat to Valletta last weekend.

Floriana will be without two regulars for their clash against the Spartans on Saturday afternoon.

Left-back Clifton Ciantar's red card in the Greens' 2-0 upset to Marsaxlokk triggered an automatic one-match ban while team-mate Mauro Brincat has been punished after he incurred his fourth booking during Monday's league match.

Etienne Barbara, whose goals on Saturday led Sliema to a 2-1 win over Birkirkara, can't hope to extend his scoring form against Marsaxlokk, another of his former teams.

The Malta forward received a one-match ban for four yellow cards.

Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi has been given a one-match touchline ban after he was ordered off his bench last weekend.

Adrian Farrugia completes the list of Premier League players who got a one-match ban. The Msida midfielder's yellow card in his side's 3-1 victory over Pietà was his fourth of the competition.